Cigar lighter



Aug 5y 1942e A, A. JOHNSON 21,251,6

CIG'AR LIGHTER Filed July 21, 1936 2 shams-Sheet 1 Fa'g f;

INVENTOR Aug 5, 1941. A. A. .JOHNSON 2,251,611

CIGAR LIGHTER Filed July 21, 193e 2 sheetsheet 2 gek I 32 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 5, 1941 Arthur A. `lohnson, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application July 2l, 1936, Serial No. 91,727

(or. cie-32) Automatic Devices 2li Claims.

This invention relates to cigar lighters, and more particularly, to the kind in which an igniting unit is supported on a holding device so that it may be completely removed therefrom for use when the heating element of the igniting unit has been brought to a predetermined temperature.

With such lighters, it was proposed heretofore to indicate that the heating element was ready for use, by the glow of the heating element being made visible to the user. With many forms of such lighters, it is not necessary that the heating element be brought to such a degree oi incandescence that its glow may be visible to the user, and, in many cases, especially when the lighter is not in a dark place, the glow resulting from the incandescent heating element is hardly visible.

An object of this invention is to indicate to the user the fact that the heating element is hot enough for use, and that the heating element is still in energizing position, independently of any glow which may result from the heating element itself.

In the form of the invention herein disclosed exemplary thereof, this is accomplished by providing a separate source of illumination, preferably adja t the handle portion of the igniting unit, and closing a circuit to this separate source oi illumination, preferably by a heat-responsive element, such as a thermostat.

In the forms of lighters first referred to above, the igniting unit is usually manually held in energizing position, and, when released, returns to non-energizing position. This requires the user,

usually the driver of the vehicle, to take his attention from the road while the lighter is becoming hot enough for use. This is to be avoided, and, according to the present invention, the igniting unit, when manually moved to energizing position, remains in that position until manually removed. Under these conditions there is special utility and advantage in the provision of a signal for apprising the user when the igniting unit is hot for use.

When, as in the embodiments of the invention herein illustrated, the Separate source of illumination, as an electric bulb, is placed closely adiactn. the operating handle of the igniting unit, the light therefrom not only acts as a signal apprising the user that the device is ready for use, but also illuminates the handle so that it may be located by the user for the removal of the inciting unit without the user taking his eyes from 'the road.

@ne embodiment of the present invention discloses an arrangement which provides an intermittent or flashing signal after the heating element oi the igniting unit has become ready for use. By this arrangement, the signal will be given when the heating element is sufficiently hot for use, and, should the igniting unit be allowed to remain on'the holding device after such signal is given, the heating element will be automatically disconnected before becoming dangerously hot, the signal however remaining operative until such disconnection causesthe heating element to cool beyond its useable condition. When this happens, the signal will cease functioning and the heating element will again becoine hot, and the signal will be again given when the element is in readiness for use, this cycle repeating itself until the igniting unit is removed from the holding device. By properly forming the various parts of the device used in this embodiment it is possible to have the signal operate upon breaking of the circuit through the heating element in response to heat from the latter, and also possible to have the signal become inoperative when the heating element has cooled so as to be non-useable.

In the broader aspects of the invention, once the signal has been given and the igniting unit removed for use, the signal may be rendered inoperative either as a result oi the removal of the ign "'ig unit or in some other way. However, it is preferable that, after the igniting unit has been used and it is returned to the holding device, the signal should be inoperative, even though the heating element has not cooled oi a great deal.

To accomplish this, in one form of the invention herein disclosed, the circuit through the signaling device cannot be closed except when the igniting unit is in energizing position on the holding device.

When the cigar lighter is so located on the instruinei'it board of a motor vehicle that it is not illuminated, either naturally or artiiicially, it is sometimes diilicult to relocate the igniting unit the holder after the igniting unit has been In my copending application Serial No. 78,529, iiled May S, 1936, I have disclosed means for illuminating the holder while the igniting unit is removed so that it may be conveniently relocated therein, and claims broadly to this feature are to be found in said application and the patereventuating thereon.

llitate the reinsertion of the igniting unit in the holder, in one form ci the invention herein disclosed, the signal device, which operates to indicate that the heating element is ready for use, remains operative after the igniting unit has been removed and until the igniting unit is replaced in the holder in its normal storage position.

To accomplish this, instead of merely closing a circuit when the heating element becomes ready for use, a two-position switch is operated, and this switch remains closed independent of the subsequent thermal condition of the heating element until the igniting unit is withdrawn from and replaced in the holder.

Various other objects and advantages will be hereinafter referred to or become apparent.

In the drawings, which show several embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of one embodiment of improved lighter, with the removable igniting unit partially in elevation and partially in section, said unit being in shallow or storage position in the holding device, and the illuminating signal not being shown.

Fig. 2 shows the holding device in axial section, and also shows the illuminating signal; in this gure the igniting unit, shown in elevation, is in deep or operative position, but the heating element is not yet fully heated.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but after the heating element has reached a temperature sufficient to cause closing of the signal bulb circuit.

Fig. 4, showing another embodiment of the present invention, is a fragmentary axial section with the igniting unit in side elevation, and in energizing position on the holder.

Fig. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, with the igniting unit in elevation and in storage position on the holding device which latter is partially broken away and shown in axial section; the illuminating signal is shown in diagrammatic form in this ligure.

Fig. 6 shows the lighter of Fig. 5 with the igniting unit in deep or operative position and ready to be removed for use, the signaling mechanism being operative in response to heat from the heating element.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to that of Fig. 6, but with the igniting unit partially removed.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but with the signal still functioning and with the igniting unit about to be restored to storage position on the holder.

The cigar lighter of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiment thereof shown in Figs. 1 through 3, includes a socket-carrying base member or holder II) for attachment to a panel II of an automobile, and a removable igniting unit I2 which is normally supported by the holder, but which may be electrically disconnected and bodily removed therefrom for manual transportation within the car and for handling by various occupants therein for the purpose of lighting cigars, cigarettes and the like.

The removable igniting unit I2, as the parts are shown, ordinarily rests in the holder I so as prominently to protrude therefrom as shown in Fig. 1.

The holder I comprises a sleeve I3 forming a deep socket Ill, said sleeve having at its inner end an integral transverse wall I5. This sleeve is adapted to pass through a suitable aperture in the panel II of the instrument board, and is held in this position by a cap I6 screwed onto the outer end of the sleeve. A plurality of tongues I'I are lanced from the sleeve I3, so that when the cap I6 is screwed up tight, the panel i I is clamped between said cap and the outwardly canted ends of said tongues, thus securely to mount the carrier on the panel I I. Any suitable form of holding means may be substituted for that shown herein if desired.

The holder I i) is preferably formed of sheet metal, and serves as a conductive element of the grounded portion of the energizing-current circuit when the removable igniting unit is in deep or operative position in the socket Ill.

At the rear portion of the socket I4 there is provided a contact I8 which is mounted on a stud I9 by being riveted to the head I Se thereof, said stud being insulatedly carried in a reinforcing sleeve 20 attached to the wall i5 of the shell I3 as shown. The contact I8 is preferably in the form of a metallic spider having a plurality of forwardly extended arms Ia the forward ends of which are bent as shown to form clips.

The rear end of the stud I 9 is threaded and carries nuts for securing said stud in the sleeve, and for securing an electrical connection lug 2I to the stud.

Thus, the holder i5 is provided with contact members (the socket sleeve I 3 and the contact clip I8) constituting a gap in the electrical circuit from the car battery, each being insulated from the other.

The removable igniting unit I2 is shown as including a handle or knob 22 and a main or body section extended rearwardly from said knob, said body having a cylindrical portion 23 adapted to slidably t within the shell I3, and having a cylindrical end portion 241 of slightly reduced diameter, and said body and knob are formed of suitable insulating material. On the end of the portion 24 of the body there is screwed a metal cap 25 having an outer diameter equal to that of the portion 24 of the handle.

The shell I3 is also provided with a plurality of tongues 26 lanced therefrom and biased inwardly to engage a shoulder 2 between the portions 23 and 2d of the igniting unit, and to engage the portion 23 thereof so as to hold the unit, when in normal storage position in the holder IIJ, from inadvertent shifting.

A heating element 28 is positioned within a metal cup 29, and said cup is insulatedly mounted on the metal cap 25 by means including a stud 30 headed0ver at one end as shown and having at its other end a slotted or kerfed head 39a. This heating element is, in the present case, in the form of a spirally wound resistance Wire or ribbon connected at its outer end to the periphery of the cup 29 and at its inner end in the slot of the head Sa of said stud. Thus the cup 29 is insulated from the cap 25, except by way of the heating element 2G.

The holder sleeve I3 has a tongue 3I lanced therefrom, and resiliently biased inwardly so as to ext-end into the socket I4 and effect electrical connection with the cap 25 when the unit is thrust to the operative position, as shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to this iigure, energization of the heating element 28 is effected by current passing through the connection lug 2l, stud I9, contact arms Ia, shell 29, heating element 23, stud 3D, cap 25, tongue BI, sleeve I3, and thence through the panel II to the grounded side of the circuit. Thus, when the igniting unit is in the position shown in Fig. 1, no energization of the heating element takes place, but when the unit is moved inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2 the heating element is energized. It will be noted that the heating element is continuously energized when in this position, and continues to be energized until the igniting unit is manually moved out of said position.

According to the present invention there is provided improved means for indicating to a user, independently of any glow from the heating element, that the latter is hot enough for use and that the igniting unit is still in energizing position.

As shown in Fig. 2 there is carried by the shell I3 at its lower forward portion an illuminating assembly including an electric bulb 32 mounted in an electric socket passing through a suitable aperture in the panel II, said socket having a shell 33 and a central contact stud `td insulated from the shell by a shouldered washer The shell 33 is held by means of an internal flange at its rear end between the washer 25 and a flat insulating member 3S through which the stud passes. Screwed on the shell 33 is a cover and reflector 3l for the bulb 32, said reflector having an outwardly extending flange Sla engaging the panel Il to provide for a iirrn support of the illuminating assembly while at the same time serving to insure positive electrical contact between said panel and shell.

The stud 3d also passes through a conducting and supporting angle bracket 33 disposed at the back of the insulating member 36, which bracket is insulated by said member from the panel Il, and said stud carries at its rear a nut which securely holds the socket assembly to said bracket, and further provides for positive electrical connection to the stud.

rihe arrangement as thus far described is such i that an electrical connection between the bracket 3B and any part of the circuit associated with the connection lug 2l will cause energization and illumination of the bulb 32. The present invention provides for effecting such connection upon attainment by the heating element of a predetermined useful temperature, the igniting unit having been moved to operative position, and further provides for breaking said connection upon removal of the unit for use.

As shown, the bracket it .is secured to the shell I3 by means of rivets 35i which also secure to the shell at the inside thereof a spring contact Ml for cor-.ductinfVY current to tl e bracket, said bracket and contact being insulated from the shell by insul.- ting strips ll and t2 respectively, and. by i,..sulating spacer 3 disposed in an aperture in the shell. Coacting with the contact d? is a second spring contact lid, which is also insulatedly mounted on the inside of the shell t3 by rivets passing through the insulating strips di, d2, and fifi, said contact Ml having a rearwardly extending arm 4% for engagement with a bimetallic Contact il riveted to a depending arm die of the heating element contact IS.

For the purpose of electrically connecting the spring contacts ttl it when the igni -ng unit l 2 is in deep or operative position there is carried by the reduced portion 2t of said unit a circular metallic band iid which is embedded to the extent of its thickness in the outer cylindrical surface of said reduced portion.

As will be seen in 2, unit is in deep or opor* tive pos n the spring contacts @Il and l5 are each touch the band 4S, and are therefore electrically jo ied; when the igniting unit is removed from said position as when the igniting unit is in the storage position shown in liig. 1 or is completely removed when the igniting from the holder, the contacts will be electrically separated from each other.

Operation of the lighter is as follows: The igniting unit I2 is normally held in the holder I0 in the storage position shown in Fig. l, it being maintained in this position against accidental further insertion in the holder, or against movement out of the holder by the spring fingers 2S which engage the igniting unit. When it is desired to use the lighter, the igniting unit is manually moved by means of the knob 22 inwardly to the deep operative position in the holder, as shown in Fig. 2. This movement causes the contact arm lila to snap over the cup 29 and make electrical connection thereto, resulting in energization of the heating element 28. Normally, the bimetallic contact lll, when cold, is not engaging the contact arm 45; however, in respouse to the heat from the heating element 23 the bimetallic arm 4l nexos so that its forward end moves downwardly and contacts with the arm cle. Thereupon the circuit through the bulb 32 is completed, and said bulb will become incandescent and will illuminate the handle 22 and also the surrounding supporting structure of the lighter, and will notify the user that the heating element is suihciently hot for use, and this signal will continue to be given until such time as the user responds thereto by removing the igniting unit. Furthermore, there will be eifected upon incandescence of the bulb 32 a bright illumination of the lighter knob 22 and surrounding structure, which illumination will permit the user of the lighter, if he be the driver of the automobile, to readily locate the knob without removing his eyes from the road. immediately upon removal of the unit, the connection between the spring contacts lil and tft is broken and the signal thus ceases to function, even though the bimetallic contact il remain in engagemen=J with the arm 46.

When the igniting unit is replaced to storage position in the holder, the circuit through the bulb 32 will not again be closed, regardless of the position of the birnetallic contact 4l, since the spring contacts 49 and itl will still be electrically disconnected.

It should be understood that. without departing from the spirit of the invention otl er specific arrangements, independent of the glow which might come from the heating element itself, may be provided for indicating to a user that the lighter is in readiness for use, and for aiding a user to readily locate the lighter under adverse conditions.

The present invention also proposes an arrangement for giving an intermittent signal when the heating element is in readiness for use, said flashing or operating intermittently in response to the heated condition. of the heating element, and the latter, after reaching a predetermined useful temperature, being alternately connected and disconnected until the igniting unit is removed for use.

According to the embodiment exemplifying this, illustrated in Fig. ll, there is provided a cigar ighter similar in all respects to the lighter shown in Figs. 1 through 3, except that the contact arm la of the lighter of these iigures is formed of a birnetallic strip, and except that there is pro-- vided an additional signaling contact disposed within the shell I3 directly above the contact for the heating element.

As shown in Fig. 4, for connection with` the cup 29 of the igni g there is the shell or" the heling device a birne tact 53.

Preferably the bimetallic arms and fil are so constructed that the latter functions to cause a signal to be given in response to a predetermined heating of the heating element slightly before the arm i9 functions to disconnect said element from its circuit. By this arrangement, upon cooling of the heating element the bimetallic arm l will again close the circuit through the heating element slightly before the arm El pens the signaling circuit.

Operation of the lighter of this embodiment is as follows: After the igniting unit has been moved to the deep operative position shown, the

carried by t conheating element will become hot by virtue of contact between the arm and the cup 2S, and as said element reaches a predetermined useful temperature the bimetallic will, in exing, cause a signal to be given. lf at this point the igniting unit is removed, the signal will immediately be extinguished; if however, the igniting unit is not touched the signal will ccntinue to be given, the heating element meanwhile becoming hotter and causing the bimetallic arm to flex upward and open the circuit through said element. Thereupon the element will cool, and in cooling will allow the arm G9 to again Contact with the cup and reenergize the element. During cooling of the element the bimetallic arm G9 Will remain in engagement with its associated signaling contact 35, causing the signal to function continuously. Because oi a short time lag in the response i the heating element to reengagement of the birnetallic arm 9 with the cup 2Q, and because the bimetallic arm [i9 is disposed above the heating element and the bimetallic arm il disposed below the heating element, it being kept in mind that heat rises, the bimetallic arm il? will separate from its associated signaling contact i before reheating of the heating element, and this separation will cause the signal to cease ftmctioning. In response to reheating of the element, the bimetallic arm will again Contact with the arm d@ and again cause operation of the signal.

There is also provided this einbodii ent a signaling Contact dio car ied Within the shell i3 directly above the bimetallic arm [59, said contact Gila being secured to the shell by rivets and suitably insulated therefrom as shown, and being electrically connected with the Contact il by a Wire Sil. Thus When the birnetallic contact arm l ilexes upward to disconnect the heating element vcircuit in response to heat from said element, said arm f-S will engage the Contact 9a and close the circuit through the signaling bulb.

It will be understood that the signaling contact fido does not alter the functioning of the signal during normal operation of the Contact arms d? and and therei" 1e said contact @Sa may be dispensed with if desired and the arms i5 and l? employed to close the circuit. However should the arms and 5cl-'i cease to 'function normally for any reason Whatever, the signal will be operated by the contact a if this be retained. If the arms di and E were to be dispensed with and the con-tact employed to cause functioning of the signal, *he operation of the signal will be slightly di ere l nasmuch as now a signal will not be given until the circuit through the heating elemen. opened, and the signal will be discontinued immediately upon closing of the circuit through the heating element. By this latter arrangement, the signal will be given alternately with energization of the heating element, and the parts may be so adapted that the heating element will be in condition for use at any time during operation of the signal.

The present invention also contemplates an illuminating signal device operating in response to heat from the heating element, which device remains operative until complete restoration of the igniting unit in the holder so that reinsertion of the unit is facilitated.

Accordingly there is shown in Figs. 5 through 3 another embodiment of the invention wherein such a signaling arrangement is provided. Referring to these gures, parts which are identical with those of the embodiments just described have been given similar reference characters.

As shown, a holder 5l having a shell 54a is mounted on a panel l I and held thereto by a nut i5 and tongues Il lanced from said shell. The holder carries a Contact i8 having an arm i3d for engagement with an igniting unit cup, and said contact i3 is insulatedly carried by the rear Wall l5 of the shell, and is connected with a connection lug 2i.

An igniting unit 52 is shown having a knob portion 22, and also having a cylindrical body 2S and the cylindrical end portion 53 of smaller diameter than the body 23, said end portion carrying a metal cap 541 screwed thereon, and on which cap is insulatedly mounted a cup 29 containing the heating element of the igniting unit. The rear portion of the body 23 terminates in a shoulder 2l which is engaged by tongues 25 (as in Figs. l and 2) lanced from the shell, said tongues frictionally and yieldingly holding the igniting unit in normal storage position against inadvertent shifting therefrom.

When the igniting unit 52 is moved to the deep operative position of Fig. 6 the cup 2S will engage the contact I8 for energization of the heating element, the circuit through said element to the shell Sia being completed by a spring tongue 5H) lanced from the shell and engaging the cap 5d.

This embodiment includes an illuminating signal `assembly to be carried by an angle bracket 55, said assembly being similar in all respects to that of Figs. 2 and 3, but being shown in Figs. 5 through 8 by the diagrammatic representation of a bulb 32 and connecting wires.

The angle bracket 44 is insulated from the panel li by an insulating member 53, and from the shell 5in by an insulating strip 56, and as in the embodiments already described when electrical connection is made between said angle brac ret and the part of the circuit joined to the connection lug 2i the signal Will become incandescent.

For the purpose of operating the signal lamp 32 there is provided a toggle switch mechanism which closes a circuit through the bracket 55 in response to heat from the heating element, and which mechanism is actuated to open the circuit orny upon restoration of the igniting unit to normal position in the holder.

As shown, the bracket 55 is attached to the shell Ela by means of a rivet 5'! which passes through the strip and passes through an insulating inset o8 carried in an aperture in the shell, and said bracket carries a contact stud 59 also passing through the member 55 and 58, the contacting face of said stud being substantially flush with the inner surface of the inset 58 and shell, For engagement with the stud 59 there is provided a contact 66 carried by a toggle mechanism including a pair of toggle bars 6I and 62 pin-connected together. The toggle bar 62 is pivotally mounted between a pair of stationary plates 63 secured to the inset 58, and the associated bar 6I, which carries the contact 60, is mounted to pivot on the extremity of a spring arm 64 which passes through aligned apertures in the shell 51a and insulating strip 58. The spring 'arm 64 is mounted by pins on the strip 58, said arm having a U-bend therein between said mounting and extremity to provide for free yielding movement of said extremity during throwing of the toggle, and said arm is biased so that the toggle bar 6| is urged forwardly at all times, causing a snap movement of the toggle bars in either direction from dead center position.

The spring arm 64 extends rearwardly of the shell m, and is bent upwardly and fastened under the nuts which secure the connection lug 2i to the lighter, thereby electrically joining the contact 60 to the lug 2|.

When the toggle bars 6| and 62 are broken upwardly, as shown in Fig. 5, the circuit through the bulb 32 is open. However, when the bars are in the downward position shown in Fig. 6, current will flow through the connection lug 2l, spring arm 64, toggle arm 6l, contact 60, stud 59, bracket 55, and through the electric bulb 32 to the panel il, thus causing a visible signal to be given. Thus there is provided, by the arrangement as described thus far, `a toggle switch included in the circuit of the signal 32.

For the purpose of actuating the toggle switch from open-circuit to closed-circuit position in response to heat from the heating element, the contact I3 is provided with a depending arm 48 to which is riveted a bimetallic actuating strip 65 carrying at its forward extremity a shoe 66 adapted to engage the toggle bar 6l.

Normally, as seen in Fig. 5, when the igniting unit is in storage position in the holder 5I and the parts are all cold, the circuit through the signal bulb 32 will be open, the toggle bars 62 and 6l being in open-circuit position yand the latter bar engaging the shoe 66 carried by the bimetallic actuator 65. When the igniting unit is pushed to operative position in the holder as shown in Fig.

6, energization of the heating element will take.

place by virtue of the electrical connection between the contact I8 and the cup 29. As the heating element becomes warm, it will cause a flexing of the bimetallic actuator 65, the forward end of which will move downwardly. After a sunicient degree of heat has been experienced by the actuator, it will move the toggle bars 6I and 62 (downwardly) past dead center position whereupon said bars will snap to the closedcircuit position shown in Fig. 6, thus causing the electric bulb 32 to light and therefore signal the user that the unit is in condition for use.

For the purpose of causing extinguishment of the signal upon restoration of the unit in the holder, and for the purpose of preventing extinguishment of the signal upon removal of the unit for use, the toggle bar 62 is provided with a by-pass and trip mechanism actuated by movement of the igniting unit in the holder. The bar 62 has a forwardly extending arm 61 at the extremity of which is pivotally carried a trip member having fingers 68 and 69. The arm 61 also carries a iiat spring strip 15 which engages the nnger 65 of the trip member and yieldingly urges said finger against a lug 1l carried by the arm El so that the trip member is restrained from counter-clockwise turning, but is permitted to turn in clockwise direction against the action of the spring strip. Therefore the nger 68 of the trip member is normally maintained in a vertical position as shown in Fig. 5 and pressure on the finger 68 will cause the trip member to turn in a clockwise direction.

When the toggle bars are in open-circuit position the trip member is normally close to the shell 5Ia, as shown in Fig. 5, there being thus avoided engagement with the igniting unit. After said unit has been moved to the deep operative position of Fig. 6 and has heated sufficiently to cause the toggle bars to snap to closed-circuit position, thetrip member will have moved away from the shell Sla, and to a position wherein the linger 68 of said member extends into an annular groove provided between the portions 53 and 23 of the igniting unit. Upon removal of said unit from the holder for use, as shown in Fig. 7, the toggle bars will not be moved to open the signaling circuit because of the engagement of the finger 68 of said member with the portion 53 of the igniting unit, but rather the trip member will be caused to turn in a clockwise direction against the action of the spring strip l without movement Aof said bars. For this purpose the spring strip 10 is made of light material so that it will yield upon removal of the igniting unit from the holder before the toggle joint yields. Therefore, the circuit through the signal bulb 32 will be closed upon heating of the element, and will remain closed after removal of the igniting unit for use.

During utilization of the igniting unit to light one or more cigarettes, the bimetallic actuator 65 will, in cooling, again resume its normal position. As shown in Fig. 8, when the igniting unit is being restored to storage position in the holder, the toggle bars 6I and 62 will still be in closedcircuit position, and since for this position the signal bulb 32 is incandescent, the illumination resulting therefrom will have facilitated reinsertion of said unit. As the igniting unit is moved further to its storage position, the nger 68 of the trip member will engage a bevel 12 provided on the metal cap B4 and, since said member is prevented from turning in a counter-clockwise direction the end of the lever arm 61 will be depressed thus causing the toggle bars 6l and 62 to move and to snap to open-circuit position again.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from, the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; means for closing a signaling circuit when the igniting unit is in energizing position and upon attainment by the heating element of a predetermined temperature; and means 'lor automatically opening the signaling circuit by movement of the igniting unit from said energizing position on the holding device, said means for automatically opening the signaling circuit including a pair of contacts in the signaling circuit, carried by the holding device, and a bridging contact carried by the igniting unit and coacting with said contacts.

2. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device and having a knob to be grasped by the hand oi a user; an electric bulb; means ior mounting the bulb on the holding device so that when energized it Will externally illuminate the knob of the igniting unit when the latter is on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; means for energizing the bulb upon attainment by the heating element ol a predetermined temperature; and means for discontinuing energizatlon of the bulb in response to movement of the igniting unit on the holding device.

3. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; means for closing a signaling circuit when the igniting unit is in energizing position, and upon attainrnent by the heating element oi a predetermined temperature; and means for automatically opening said signaling circuit at a point different from where it was closed, when the igniting unit is emoved from the holding device.

4. In a cigar lighter, a holding device: an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said ignitlng unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; means for completing a circuit for a signal when the igniting unit is in energizing position, and upon attainment by the heating element of a predetermined emperature; and means for automatically opening said signaling circuit when the igniting unit is removed from the holding device, said means for closing the signaling circuit including a thermally controlled switch in said circuit and said means for automatically opening the signaling circuit including a pair of contacts in the signaling circuit carried by the holding device, and a bridging contact carried by the igniting unit.

5. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; a Contact on the holding device; a second contact on the holding device for connection to a signaling circuit; a third contact connected to the energizing circuit of the lighter; means for causing electrical connection between said first and second contacts only when the igniting unit is in energizing position on the holding device; and means for causing said nrst and third contacts to engage each other when the heating element reaches a pre` determined temperature so as to effect energization of the signaling circuit.

6. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; a Contact on the holding device; a second contact on the holding device for connection to a signaling circuit; a third contact connected to the energizing circuit of the lighter; a bridging contact carried by the igniting unit and adapted to connect the first second contacts only when the igniting unit is in operative position on the holding device; and means for causing said iirst and third contacts to engage each other when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature so as to effect energization of the signaling circuit.

7. In a cigar lighter, a holding device: an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; an electrically operated signal; a contact on the holding device; a second contact on the holding device connected with the signal; a third contact connected to the energizing circuit of the lighter; means for causing electrical connection between said first and second contacts only when the igniting unit is in energizing position on the holding device; and means for causing said rst and third contacts to engage each other when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature so as to cause operation of the signal.

8. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an ignitinff unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit to the heating element; signal means; means responsive to movementJ of the igniting unit to energizing position to condition a circuit to the signal means for operation when the heating element attains a desired usable heat; and means for opening the circuit through the heating element when the latter reaches the predetermined usable heat and for closing the signaling circuit, said means operable to open the signaling circuit and close the heating element circuit when the heating element cools a predetermined extent.

9. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable rom the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device, including means for opening the circuit through the heating element when the latter reaches a predetermined temperature, said means operable to close the circuit again when the element cools a predetermined extent; and heat-responsive means for closing a signaling circuit just prior to the opening of the heating element circuit,.said heat-responsive means operable to open said signaling circuit just subsequent to the closing of the heating element circuit after the element has cooled a predetermined extent.

l. The invention as defined in claim 9, in which the means for alternately opening and closing the heating element circuit includes a bimetallic element, and in which the alternately closing and opening the signaling circuit to a temperature lower than oi the first-- mentioned bimetallio element.

il. In a cigar lighteg a l c..." g device; an igniting unit supported by and completely rernovable from the holding device ior use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the ig .--a unit; means for closing a circuit throuy :1 e heating element when the igniting unit is rcovcd to energizing Josition on the holding dc a pair of normally disengaged contacts in a circuit; means for causing engage .ont o1 said contacts upon attainment by the heating eiement oi a predetermined holding device.

i2. In a cigar lighter, a holding device;

carried by tie igni circuit through the he v t when the igniting unit is moved to energiz g position on 'the holding device; a oi normally disengaged contacts ina signaling circuit; means for caus engagement of said contacts upon attainment by the heating element of a predetermined 'ternperature; means for causing disengagement of said contacts after removal ot the igniting unit from the holding device and upon rei sertion of said unit in the holding device.

i3 In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an ign :g unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device' an electrically operated s' Lal; means for causing operation or" the signal upon attainment by the heating element ci predetermined temperature; and means for automatically disco itinuing the signal in response to movement of ting unit on the holding device.

le. ln a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means Jfor clo Y a circuit through the heating element when e igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; an electrically operated signal; a pair of .ormally dis engaged contacts in circuit with the signal; means for causing engagement of said contacts upon attainment by tl; heating element ci a predetermined temperature to cause operation oi the signal; and means for causing disengagement of said contacts and discontinuance of the signal upon movement of ignitmg unit on hold" ing device.

l5. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an gniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; an electric toggle switch for connection with a signaling circuit, one terminal of which switch is connected with the energizing circuit or the holding device; means for closing the toggle switch when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature; and means for opening the switch in response to movement oi the igniting unit on the holding device.

16. The invention as defined in claim l5, in which the igniting unit has a protuberance thereon, and in which the toggle switch has an actuating arm carrying a trip mechanism adapted to be actuated by the protuberance of the igniting unit when the latter is moved on the holder so that removal of the ignitihg unit will not actuate the switch, and so that reinsertion of the igniting unit on the holder will throw the switch to open-circuit position.

17. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device 'for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the ignitinor unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; an electric toggle switch for connection with a signalling circuit, one terminal of which switch is connected with the energizing circuit of the holding device; means for closing the toggle switch when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature; and means for opening the switch in response to movement of the igniting unit on the holding device, the means for closing the .switch including a bimetallic actuating arm.

i8. In a cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use, said igniting unit being movable on the holding device; a heating element carried 'by the igniting unit; means for closing va circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; an electric toggle switch for connection with a signalling circuit, one terminal of which switch is connected with the energizing circuit of the holding device;

, means for closing the toggle switch when the heating element reaches a predetermined temperature; and means for opening the switch in response to movement of the igniting unit on the holding device, the means for opening the switch including a protuberance on the igniting unit.

I9. In a cigar lighter, `a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device for use; a heating element carried by the igniting unit, at least a portion of the igniting unit being movable to close an energizing circuit to the heating element, said portion including a knob to be grasped by the hand of the user; van electric light; means for mounting the light so that when energized it will externally illuminate the knob of the igniting unit and the adjacent end of the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for energizing the light upon attainment `by the heating element oi a predetermined temperature; and means for deenergizing the light after removal of the igniting unit from the holding device and upon reinsertion of said unit in the holding device whereby the end of the holding device will be illuminated until the igniting unit has been restored thereto.

20. In a cigar lighter', a holding device; an igniting unit supported by and completely removable from the holding device; a heating element carried by the igniting unit; means for closing a circuit through the heating element when the igniting unit is moved to energizing position on the holding device; a signal circuit including a pair of switch means therein, one of said switch means being closed upon movement of the ignting unit to the energizing position; and means for opening the circuit to the heating element when the latter reaches a predetermined temperature, said means forming a part of the other of said switch means and closing the same just subsequent to the opening of the heating element circuit, movement of the igniting unit from the energizing position again opening the rst-named switch means.

ARTHUR A. JOHNSON. 

